Public transport

Last updated: 18/1-2023

In most cities, public transport is available for everyone. It can for instance be buses, trams, metros and ferries that run between several stations in the cities or trains and buses that run between cities and in the countryside. Domestic flights also operate between some cities. There are also ferries that operate from the mainland to Gotland.

Street view from Gothenburg. A blue and white tram is turning towards the camera while another is disappearing from view on the left. A number of people can be seen around the trams.

Photo: Misak Nalbandian

To use public transport, you are required to purchase a ticket. On www.resrobot.se, you can search for trips between all the stations in Sweden. You can also buy tickets to travel to other cities all over Sweden.

Tickets

Several different train and bus companies operate services between different towns and cities in Sweden.

Make sure you buy a ticket from the company you will be travelling with before you get on board a train or bus. You will often be unable to buy a ticket on board. On journeys where you can buy a ticket on board, it is often more expensive than buying a ticket in advance.

Many train tickets contain the carriage number and seat number, which show you where to sit. If you have bought a personal ticket you must be able to produce a valid ID document that matches the name on the ticket in the event of an inspection.

Examples of valid ID documents: passport, national ID card or driving licence issued in Sweden, the Nordic region or the EU/EEA. An LMA card (issued by the Swedish Migration Agency in connection with an asylum application) can also be used for travel within Sweden. The only acceptable ID document issued outside the EU/EEA is a passport.

Tickets are inspected when you get on board the bus. If you are travelling by train, your ticket is inspected on board the train. If you are travelling without a valid ticket you must pay a charge or get off the train.

Rules on board

Make sure you show consideration and do not disturb other passengers. You may not, for example, encroach on other passengers' space or use mobile phones in a way that is perceived to be irritating.

If you do not observe the rules on board, staff may decide that you have to leave the train or bus. This may be because, for example, you are creating a disturbance, not obeying staff's instructions, travelling without a valid ticket or have too much luggage.

Make sure you:

  • Buy a ticket before you get on board
  • Do not have more luggage than you can easily carry yourself
  • Remember that smoking is prohibited.

Luggage

In most trains and buses you can only take as much luggage as you can easily carry yourself. All luggage must be stored in the designated place, for example in the train's luggage rack, on the overhead shelves or beneath the seat, or in the bus's luggage compartment.

Smoking

Smoking is banned in all trains and buses. If you ignore this ban, you risk being unable to continue your journey.

Safety

It is illegal to go onto railway tracks. You may only cross the tracks at specially designated crossings. You must not be on a crossing when booms are being lowered, have been lowered or are being raised, the warning bell rings, the stop signal is shown or a train is approaching. If an unauthorised person is in the track area, the police are alerted.

Border controls on journeys from Denmark

If you are travelling from Denmark to Sweden, your ID document will be checked at the border. If you do not have a valid ID document, you will not be allowed to cross the border. Children under the age of 18 do not need a valid ID document if they are travelling together with a parent with valid ID.

Examples of valid ID documents for travel to Sweden: passport, national ID card or driving licence issued in Sweden or the Nordic region. An LMA card (issued by the Swedish Migration Agency in connection with an asylum application) is not acceptable for this ID inspection.